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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: September 3, 2021

Posted

Thomas P. Bialke
Thomas P. “Tom” Bialke, 98, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully at Carefree Living in Babbitt on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 3 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Tom will be laid to rest next to his wife, Eleanor Albright Bialke, at the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Funeral arrangements are provided by Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
He is survived by his son, Gerald “Jerry” (fiancée Cheryl); daughter, Reinette “Rae” (Joe) Labernik; six grandchildren, Aaron, Brad, Chris, Shannon, Tracy and Katrina; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cleo Bialke; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Matthew J. Yernatich
Matthew John “Matt” Yernatich, 62, of Duluth, originally of Tower, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, three years after being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Duluth. Arrangements were with Dougherty Funeral Home of Duluth.
He is survived by his wife, Yvonne Rooney Yernatich; children, Marisa (Jake) Williams of Hermantown, Megan Yernatich and Joseph Yernatich, both of Duluth; grandchildren, Weston, Ella and Beau Williams; niece, Morgan Rooney of New York City, N.Y.; nephew, Aiden Rooney of Duluth; mother, Margaret Yernatich of Duluth; sister, Mary (Paul) Ravnikar of Champlin; brothers, Daniel (Crystal) Yernatich of Mt. Iron and David (Sandra) Yernatich of Plymouth; numerous nieces and nephews; uncle, John Tekautz of Tower; aunt, Marlene (Jim) Saretzky of Springfield, Va.; dear friends, Jim Mustonen, Ted Pilgrim and Rob Bergquist; and many other beloved extended family members and friends.

Juanita L. Constant
Juanita L. Bernskoetter Constant, 91, of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at Miller-Dwan Hospital in Duluth. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Sept. 2 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Dennis (Phyllis) Constant, Kathleen (Tom) Julian, Christine (Donald) Olson and Paul Constant; daughter-in-law, Rebecca Constant; sisters, Grace Lund, Gladys Looten and Arlene (Robert) Tatum; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren and two more on the way.

Kurt B. Winans
Kurt Bradley Winans, 57, of Mt. Iron, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, at his home. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his children, Deven Winans of Mt. Iron, Kendra (Dakota) Swanson of Embarrass, Eddy Orcutt of Britt and Jozey (Krystle) Orcutt of Eveleth; grandchildren, Bradley Winans of Cook and soon arriving Rylee Swanson of Embarrass; siblings, Scott (Debi) Winans of Embarrass, Ted Winans of Moose Lake, Connie (Kent) Olson of Angora, Luke (Amy) Winans of Mt. Iron and Angie (Ron) Williams of Virginia; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Dianna and Jo.

Lester W. Rablin
Lester Warren Rablin passed away after a brief illness on Nov. 4, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11 at First Baptist Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.